TORONTO — Boston’s new $72.5 million man is in a holding pattern in Florida, waiting for the U.S. government to give him the green light to play.

TORONTO — Boston’s new $72.5 million man is in a holding pattern in Florida, waiting for the U.S. government to give him the green light to play.

Cuban defector Rusney Castillo is on Boston’s 40-man roster but cannot suit up for games at any level until he gets a work visa. That process is ongoing, and the Red Sox are optimistic it should be finished in short order.

After that, the 27-year-old Castillo will begin his acclimation to the United States and Major League Baseball at the Red Sox facility in Fort Myers, Fla. — and, as long as he has his work visa in time, will play his first games at a minor-league affiliate.

“We’re taking that one step at a time until the paperwork gets done,” Boston manager John Farrell said. “The timeline of available of available games, who is still playing, who is in a playoff stretch — all those are going to be factored in.”

The hope is that Castillo will be able to play for the Red Sox at some point in September.